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Postponed – The Art of Hand-Stitched Journals
Hand-bind two non-adhesive journals in this 4-week bookbinding workshop. Learn folding, stitching, and cover design. No experience needed.
program overview
Discover the timeless art of hand-bound journals in this engaging four-week workshop. Students will create two beautiful non-adhesive journal structures: a Buttonhole Journal and a Laced Paper Journal. Both books feature multiple signatures, open completely flat, and are ideal for journaling, sketching, drawing, watercolor studies, collage, or preserving treasured memories.
Throughout the class, you’ll learn traditional bookbinding techniques, including folding signatures, measuring and trimming paper, designing covers, creating punching guides, hand stitching, and assembling complete journal structures. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have two finished handmade journals and the skills and confidence to continue making your own books at home. You’ll leave with two unique handcrafted journals, a solid understanding of two traditional non-adhesive binding structures, and the confidence to continue exploring the art of handmade bookbinding on your own.
Beginners are welcome. The instructor will offer guided instruction in a supportive learning environment with a limited class size. This course requires some hand dexterity to maneuver bookbinding tools. Participants should be comfortable using a needle and thread, as the workshop involves extensive hand stitching as well as paper measuring, cutting, and trimming.
Weekly Schedule:
- Week 1 – Buttonhole Journal Foundations
- Week 2 – Completing the Buttonhole Journal
- Week 3 – Building the Laced Paper Journal
- Week 4 – Finishing the Laced Paper Journal / Student Showcase
instructor Overview
Bettina Pauly
Bettina Pauly was trained as a professional chef, then worked as a head server throughout Europe before she received a B.A. in Hotel-Economy from Hotel Management School in Heidelberg, Germany. After coming to the U.S. and working in hospitality, she went back to school and studied at the Academy of Art University San Francisco in the Fine Arts and Letterpress program under Chris Rolik, Dorothy Yule and Macy Chadwick. Bettina has also worked with Kim Vanderheiden at Painted Tongue Studios in Oakland, California, as a letterpress printer. She is very experienced with Heidelberg Windmill and Vandercook Press Machines. She has taught book arts and letterpress classes throughout the Bay Area at the Academy of Art, the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, and at the San Francisco Center for the Book. Her award winning work has been presented in national and international collections and galleries including library collections at: St John’s/Saint Benedict College Minnesota, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Denver, University of Colorado, San Jose State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Nebraska.
Bettina loves books and boxes both as physical objects and as containers of meaning. She is interested in a variety of folded, sewn and woven structures in which she can incorporate her printing. Bettina now lives in Sebastopol and is excited to work in her own studio space as well as starting to teach classes in West Sonoma County.
https://www.instagram.com/bpbookartandletterpress/
Membership Has Its Benefits
All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40.
Materials fees are not discounted.
Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs.
Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Fridays Weekly · 4 Weeks
September 4 – 25, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Friday, September 4, 2026 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Experience Level
All-Levels, Beginning, Intermediate and AdvancedAge(s)
18-overRegistration Cost:
$200
Materials Fee:
$20
Total Registration Cost:
$220
